Design of Rubber Tapping Mechanical Test Bench and Optimization of Rubber Tapping Machine Parameters

To improve the quality of natural rubber tapping operations and resolve ambiguities in force application during the tapping process, a mechanical testing platform integrating linear and rotary modules was developed. This platform precisely quantifies critical force parameters involved in blade extension, cutting, and retraction. It allows for the controlled adjustment of key process parameters, such as cutting angle, tapping speed, and blade orientation. The study began with single-factor experiments to examine how three individual factors—cutting angle, blade orientation angle, and blade bending angle—affect tapping force and the quality of the cut surface. When the cutting angle ranges from 25° to 30°, the cutting force along the X-axis first increases and then decreases. As the blade’s X-axis orientation increases from 0° to 15°, the cutting force gradually decreases. A decrease in the blade angle increases force fluctuations during wood chip cutting, leading to rougher surfaces and increased chip bending and fragmentation. Researchers employed a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experimental design to further investigate the interactions among multiple parameters. A mathematical model was established to correlate the investigated parameters with the cutting force and its total variance. The model identified the optimal combination of parameters: a cutting angle of 30°, a blade bending angle of 80°, and a blade attitude angle of 10°. Experimental results indicate that this optimal conFigureuration yields a cutting force of 9.44 N and a total variance of 3.87 N2. This conFigureuration contributes to a reduced cutting force, smoother cut surfaces, and continuous wood chip formation. This study offers foundational data for optimising the design of rubber tapping machines and improving overall tapping quality.